Echeveria plant named &#39;ec-ech-01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Echeveria  plant named ‘EC-ECH-01’ that is characterized by dark purple leaves and leaf margins that slightly curl toward the lower surface.

Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘EC-ECH-01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plant botanically known as Echeveria hybrid and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘EC-ECH-01’.

‘EC-ECH-01’ originated from the crossing of the female or seed parent, a proprietary Echeveria cultivar identified as number 34 and the male or pollen parent, Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ (not patented). The crossing was conducted in 2013 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. The resulting seeds were subsequently planted and grown. The cultivar ‘EC-ECH-01’ was selected by the inventor in 2014 in a controlled environment as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area of Sappemeer, Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘EC-ECH-01’ first occurred by leaf cuttings in 2014 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Echeveria cultivar ‘EC-ECH-01’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘EC-ECH-01’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existing varieties of Echeveria known by the inventor.

1. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits dark purple leaves. 2. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits leaf margins that slightly curl toward the lower surface.

The closest comparison cultivars are Echeveria ‘Red Prince’ (not patented) and Echeveria ‘Pearl of Nuremberg’ (not patented) ‘EC-ECH-01’ is distinguishable from ‘Red Prince’ by the following characteristics:

1. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits dark purple leaves. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Red Prince’ are purple green. 2. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits a flattened habit. In comparison, ‘Red Prince’ has a more upright habit.

‘EC-ECH-01’ is distinguishable from ‘Pearl of Nuremberg’ by the following characteristics:

1. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits dark purple leaves. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Pearl of Nuremberg’ are pale purple. 2. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits less number of leaves than ‘Red Prince’. 3. Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’ exhibits leaves that are rounded in shape. In comparison, the leaves of ‘Pearl of Nuremberg’ are slightly pointed in shape.

‘EC-ECH-01’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant, a proprietary Echeveria cultivar identified as number 34, by the following characteristics:

1. The leaves of ‘EC-ECH-01’ are dark purple. In comparison, the leaves of the female parent plant are lighter purple-red in color.

‘EC-ECH-01’ is distinguishable from the male parent plant, Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ by the following characteristics:

1. The leaves of ‘EC-ECH-01’ are shorter and more rounded than the leaves of ‘Black Prince’. 2. The leaves of ‘EC-ECH-01’ have red colored margins. In comparison, the leaf margins of ‘Black Prince’ are the same color as the rest of the leaf. 3. ‘EC-ECH-01’ has a fewer number of leaves than the number of leaves of ‘Black Prince’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographs illustrate the distinguishing traits of Echeveria ‘EC-ECH-01’.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a 25 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Echeveria cultivar named ‘EC-ECH-01’. Data was collected in Sappemeer, Netherlands from 25 week old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in 12 cm. diameter containers. The time of year was Winter and the temperature range was 18-25 degrees Centigrade during the day and 12-18 degrees Centigrade at night. The light level was natural light level. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘EC-ECH-01’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrid ‘EC-ECH-01’. -   Annual or perennial: Perennial. -   Parentage: ‘EC-ECH-01’ is a hybrid of the female parent, a     proprietary Echeveria cultivar named number 34 and the male parent     Echeveria ‘Black Prince’. -   Plant type: Pot plant. -   Plant shape: Basal rosette, no branching. -   Suitable container size: 7 cm. pots or larger. -   Plant height: 2.8 cm. -   Plant width: 12.2 cm. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Low temperature tolerance: 5° Centigrade. -   High temperature tolerance: 40° Centigrade. -   Propagation: Leaf cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots (summer): 7 days at 25° C. -   Time to initiate roots (winter): 14 days at 18° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Leaf cuttings are placed directly     into growing container. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Crop time: Approximately 20 to 25 weeks from June to November in     Sappemeer, Netherlands. -   Root system: Fibrous. -   Root color: N155. -   Plant fragrance: None. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal rosette.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 23.         -   Leaf shape.—Spathulate.         -   Leaf aspect.—Flat to slightly convex.         -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.         -   Leaf base.—Narrow attenuate.         -   Leaf dimensions.—5.3 cm. in length and 3.7 cm. in width.         -   Leaf thickness.—0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous both surfaces, succulent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire, moderately revolute.         -   Venation pattern.—None visible.         -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—Between N186A and 200A,             margins 184D.         -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—183D, margins 184D, tip             187A, base 147D.         -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—Between N186A and 203A,             margins N186C.         -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—187A, margins 184A.         -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile. -   Flower: ‘EC-ECH-01’ has not produced flowers to date. -   Fruit and seed: ‘EC-ECH-01’ has not produced fruit or seed to date. -   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not     been observed. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Echeveria plant named ‘EC-ECH-01’ as described and illustrated. 